Apparatus for treating liquids with solids



W. F, VAN LOENEN APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS WITH SOLIDS Filed May 2l, 1932 July 24, 1934.

FIG.2

WILLIAM F. VAN LOENEN ATTOR/V FIG.3

Patented .uy 24, 1934 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR TREATING LQIDS W'ITH SOLIDS `William F. Van'Loenen, Buena Park, Calif., as-

signor to L. Blake-Smith,V San Francisco,

Calif.

Application May 21, 1932, serial No. 612,847

5 Claims.

An object of my invention is to provide an apparatus suitable for contacting granular solids with single or mixed liquids for producing in said liquid a chemical or physical change in condition.

An object of my inventionis to provide an apparatus adapted to the treatment of emulsions wth granular solid bodies which are insoluble in the constituents of the emulsion or in the resolution products thereof, or which are so slowly soluble as to maintain the granular form for a material period of time.

Intwo applications filed by me on May 21, 1932 under Serial Nos. 612,845 and 612,846, I have described and claimed two closely allied methods of treating emulsions with granular solids having a specic gravity diilering from that of the emulsion, thesey methodsI comprising the gravitation of the solid to a position above or below an emulsion layer, the removal of the solid as a substantially separated massV to the vertically opposite side of said layer, and the release of the solids on said opposite side to cause their 'passage through said layer under the sole iniluence of gravitation.

In the copending applications l have shown diagrammatically, as a means of producing such functions, a cylindrical shell rotating on its horizontal axis, and the subject of the present invention is the apparatus thus briefly referred to.

This apparatus is shown in and its manner of functioning described in connectionl with the attached drawing, in which Fig. l is a side elevation of my improved treating apparatus, parts being broken away to show its internal construction;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line Z-Zof Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the functioning of the device;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the treater in a slightly modied form, and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

These figures are described as .applied tolthe treatment of a petroleum emulsion with a materially heavier granular solid.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 10 is a cylindrical shell, preferably of sheet steel, having removable heads 11 and 12. Stuiling boxes 13 and la are placed at the center of each head. The shell is reinforced bytwo or more rigid rings or bands 15-15, these bands running on the trunnionsl and 17. The driving trunnion Y17 may be revolved by the shaft 18 from a source of power not shown. Both trunnions may be supported by suitable bearings and bases indicated at l9-19. This methodof supporting and' rotating a horizontal cylinder is entirely conventional. At any convenient place -on the'shell orl on (ci. 19o-3) one of the heads may be placed a manhole 20 for the insertion of the treating agent and for cleaning the shell as required A pipe 21 controlled by a valve 22 is passed through the stuing box lfor the purpose of introducing an intermittent or continuous stream of the liquid to be treated. This pipe is preferably turned downwardly within the shell', as indicated at 23. At the opposite end of the shell a pipe 24 is introduced through the stufng box 14, this pipe being controlled by a valve 25. The inner end of this pipe should be sealed, as at 26, around a smaller pipe 27 which turns downwardly within the shell, and may be so arranged that its free end may be raised and lowered at will. This pipe extends outwardly through the pipe 24 and is controlled by a valve 28. Within the shell an upward projection 29 `from the pipe 24 is also turned downwardly as at 30. The down pipe 2'7 serves to withdraw the heavier separated liquid from the lower part of the shell, either while revolving or when at rest, while the upper pipe 29 serves to withdraw the lighter separated liquid. The purpose of turning the ends of all these pipes downwardly is to prevent their being lled with subsiding solids.

Referring to the same gures, 31-31 are longitudinal vanes arranged on the interior of the shell. These vanes are for the purpose of lifting a' heavy treating agent to a point above the horizontal center line of the shell and allowing it to fall back through the liquid body, or for skimming portions of a floating treating agent from the upper surface and conveying it to a lower level. Alternative forms of vane suitable for use under different conditions are shown at O and P in Fig. 3. While allithe vanes shown are arrangedlongitudinally, they may run the entire length of the shell or may be in relatively short sections; they may be separated by circum-v ferential ribs to form a pocketed or honeycomb structure, and they may be permanently attached, as by welding, or may be removably bolted to the interior of the shell. The vanes may be of sheet metal 4of suitable weight or may be of wire mesh, the latter permitting the draining away of excess iluid.

The shell itself may be a straight cylinder as shown or it may desirably be tapered at the discharge end, after the manner of a ball mill, and

it may be round, polygonal or irregular in crosssection. For relatively small quantities it is also permissible to rotate a short cylinder end overV end, after the manner of a barrel churn. Again, a cylindrical shell may be stationary and the lifting vanes or buckets placed on a frame revolved within the shell.

All such minor variations of form fall within the scope of my broad invention of apparatus, the functional characteristic of whichv is the removal of the treating agent from the position to which itmoves yby .gravitation .and itsdistribution through the portion of the liquid mass requiring treatment, while avoiding such agitation of the contents of the vessel as to prevent the formation and retention of horizontally dened layers of immisciblevliquds.

Obviously, this apparatus may be operated yat such speed as to produce a violent agitation of the liquid, and it is premisedithat its usefulness.

is limited to such speeds as will avoid undue agitation of the liquid body.

In utilizing the above describedI apparatusfor the treatment of petroleum emulsion with a heavy solid such as sand, a sufficient quantity of the granular solid isplaced'within the Iclosed .shell and emulsion tosbe broken is introduced through the pipe 2l,..the shell-being constantly rotated so as to produce an initialfdispersion-of the granules through the emulsion. lThe cylinder may becompletely illednor it maybe` partially iilled np to, say, from one-half to seven-eighths of `its diameter, the optimum-charge being variable according to the 4characteristics of the emulsion, the temperature of application and theform of vane used. 'When the cylinder hasfbeen filled to the desired height, the feed -of emulsion may be interrupted v.while Arotation is continued until the emulsion iscompletely-or sufficiently broken. -The rotationmay then Ybel stopped and the ycontents ofthe cylinder wi1l-;be found-:inthree layers, the lower consisting of granules, the next of water, and the highest of. oil. -Under some conditions a fourth. layer of unbrokeiremulsion `at the interface ybetween oil .and Water :mayzbe tolerated. The-.granules .ares retained in the yapparat-us but the'watercmay' be withdrawn through the pipe 2'1 and whenthis .layeris exhausted, free oil may be Withdrawn` through the samexpipefand passed to a tank 'in which any entrainedwater ldrops may settle out. This constitutes a discontinuous operation of the apparatus, which is commercially undesirable. and which is described for illustrative purposes only.

To operate the apparatus continuously.v a relativelyV slowfeedof. the emulsion is startedxwhen the initial charge is substantiallyresolved :into its constituentsand the .feed so controlled'b that `the enteringeem'ulsion will .be .completely `or suinciently broken :bythe .time itfreaches thev outlet endof the apparatus. A.This feed may be-continued indefinitely, :.water being.:withdrawn continuously through thepipe. 27 andzclearoilor oil containing suspendedwaterdrops being continuously withdrawn through thel .pipes 24.and129.

Separate Withdrawal of the products of resolution may, fin some cases, restrictithe outputrcapacity'of the apparatus by: utilizingnpart of its storage'capacity as settl-ingspace. I may'therefore, as optionalprocedure;withdraw the resolution productsthrough the same pipe, from-such level as to allow a substantial quantity -of lwater to remain in the shell, and effect the gravity separationin another vessel.

It is quite essential tothe successful operation ofthis rotatingformof .apparatus that the speed be. carefully controlled. Too rapid revolution will produce a turbulent condition in which the ymethod ceases to function. Asspeed increases, centrifugal force causes theA granular solid to travel. farther and farther around the Vcircumference `of the shell .before completerelease; `sothat, at least when.. 1using moderatelyfstraight formxof vane, the solid may' be:zdischarged'entirelyonpthe .rising in the water layer. Unless the vanes are so wide as to raise all the grains as fast as they subside,

the entire mass of grains will be carried part :way up the rising. side .and the excess will constantly roll back beneath the surface of the water layer, thus producing a desirable mutual abrasion of the grains. The extent of this abrasion is reduced by increasing rotative speed and/or the width of the vane, and is increased by reducing the speed and/or'width of the vane or by carrying in the apparatus a greater bulk of grains. 'Ihe object of abrasion is to remove from the solid grains a coating ofemulsifying agent (clay, 'colloidal substances74 -limesoaps .and similar bodies) which tends to form von .the .grainsas they pass through the emulsion Yand coaiesce .the particles of dispersed liquid.

Speed also affects theY behavior of thetWo-layers. Counter-clockwise rotation tends to produce a clockwise 'rotationof the water layer :by reason of the Asliding or pouring .of the solids down-the rising-side of the shell. Over a rather `wide range of speed this rotation of the v.water layer -maycause relatively large masses of watertozbecornex detached from the main bodyand circulate through thel lower; portion kof the. liquid' layer. When so restrained Aas not to produce turbulence, :this movement of Water masses through the oil `layer does not cause reemulsiiication-and in many cases has a desirable effectin promoting-resolution `because of its assistance incleansing thesubsiding solids. yIi too little wateris present Yin Vthe lower layer, `reemulsincation` may fbe .produced :and in initiating a treatment Ait is :often desirable to .introduce water y into the apparatus `to .the exentof from.15% to of .the -chargazthis quantity thereafter being .maintained :byawithdrawal of only such .quantity'of 'water asf-is separated. from the emulsion.

The apparatus Amay also .be :utilized forathe treatmentof emulsions .or other liquids. with .solid agents .specifically "lighter Athan :the emulsion, suchyforinstancaas coarse sawdust. nthis. use the apparatus' functions in the Vsame manner .but in a reverse direction. ...That isatozsayythe-'solid collects inr a floating `layergmrthe'Jupper surface of the. emulsion and. as'thetrotating .vanesz en-v counter this layer, portions of thepsolidare drawn downwardly and are discharged:intol the liquid body at any preferred lower level, either irnmediately beneath. the emulsion. layercor withinv the water layer. It is desirable;thoughnotessentiah to form the .vanes for this .use .'ofawire mesh or other permeable .material to. avoid: thea-entrain.- ment of oil `or elnulsionand itsegdischarge below the water level.

Figs 'i and5 illustrate..-a modioationfof-:the form shown ini Figs. l and.2,l whichprovision is made for withdrawing*water-'withoutremoving solid grains and alsoffor separating and'returning anyxoil or unbroken emulsion which'inaylfbe removed from the; shell along with the.l water. Either modication may also include-a baffle plate for retarding circulatory .movement of `.thecwater within the shell. y

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5,140 is ashellxof any form 'rotatable on its longitudinal axis. 1: Means for supporting theshellare-fnot shown but may be trunnions similar to those` indicated lat: 16.and 17 in Figs. l andi12. Throughthe.centernoffthe shell passesa ipiperl which is, divided-.into two nonccmmunicating` parts,I las.- byfthe. blank-flange 42. This pipe is fixed in position concentric with the rotative axis of the shell and passes through stuinng boxes 43-43.

At the leit end (as illustrated in Fig. 4) of pipe 41 is formed a constriction or venturi 44 and the emulsion required to feed the apparatus is introduced under pressure into this constriction through a pipe 45 terminating in a nozzle 46. Pipe 45 being sealed into the end of pipe 41, as indicated at 47, a reduction in pressure is produced in space 48 back of the venturi.

The upper end of a separating vessel 49 is placed in communication with space 48 by a pipe 50 controlled by a Valve 51, and is also provided with a gauge glass 52 and a water drain pipe 53 controlled by a valve 54.

A medial portion of the separator 49 communicates with the interior of shell 40 by means of a pipe 55 which is sealed into the wall of pipe 41 as at 56 and 57, this pipe preferably terminating in a bell 58, the lower end of which is open. The use of this bell, the purpose oi which is to retard velocity of entering water, is optional.

Within shell 40, and preferably close to the left head, a pipe 59 branches from pipe 41. At the opposite end of the shell an up-ward-looking pipe 6o is branched from pipe 41 and may optionally be covered by a shield 61 to prevent the entry oi subsiding grains. A baffle plate 62 may be secured to pipe 4l or otherwise supported in a iixed or adjustable position, this plate also being optional. l

This apparatus has the vanes 31 or their equivalent and is used in the same general manner as the form shown in Figs. l and 2. It will therefore be described only as regards the details in which its operation differs from 'that of the form shown in such figures.

Wet oil (emulsion) enters the system through pipe 45 and through pipes 41 and 59 makes its way into the inlet (left) end of the slowly revolving shell. it will be noted that entering oil cannot pass the blank flange 42.

As water separates from the emulsion, it passes through pipe 55 into separator 49, where any entrained oil or emulsion rises to the surface, the gauge glass 52 indicating the parting line between oil and water. The water is withdrawn through pipe 53 at such rate as to maintain the desired water level in the shell, and by opening valve 5l to the necessary extent any oil which may accompany the water will be drawn into the space 48 and thence returned to the shell to be retreated. Demulsied oil passes upward beneath the shield 6l and overows the upper end of pipe 50, passing thence into the right-hand end of pipe 4l and thence out of the system.

The use of J'he baiiie plate 62 is to prevent excessive rotation or the separated liquid layers and to ensure the retention of a denite and controlled water layer.

t will be obvious that the described arrangeient for withdrawal or" water and return of entrained oil may be applied to any form of apparatus, whether the shell be rotative or xed, while the bailie described is useful only in those forms in which the shell rotates on its horizontal axis.

The rotative forms oi treating apparatus illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 4, and 5 have certain advantages which do not obtain in any form in which the shell is stationary. Thus, the water layer is less disturbed, particularly when the baille plate is used. The amount of suspended water and the rate of circulation of solids through the emulsion may be controlled by varying the relative speed. The solids may be distributed over and through the emulsion layer more uniformly than is possible with other apparatus, or may be placed over only a part of the area if preferred. The power expenditure is extremely low; no moving parts can become frozen by the formation of a dense granular pack; the grains are tumbled vbeneath the water in such manner as to secure the most effective removal of adherent coatings while reducing mutual abrasion and consequent formation of nes to a minimum; there is the least possible wear due to friction oi grains against metallic parts, and the crushing of grains to undesired smaller sizes is entirely avoided.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for resolving emulsions with granular solids: a substantially closed drum horizontally positioned for rotation about its axis; means for introducing liquid emulsion to and for withdrawing liquid resolution products from said drum; means within said drum for moving and distributing said solids within said liquids, and means within said drum and coacting with said drum for maintaining said liquids substantially quiescent.

2. Apparatus for resolving emulsions with granular solids: a substantially closed drum and means for revolving said drum about its horizontal axis; vanes aiiixed longitudinally to the interior of said drum, said vanes` being so formed and arranged as to lift granular substances from the lower part of said drum to a level higher than that determined by the angle of repose ci said granules on a flat vane radially arranged; means for introducing emulsion into said drum; and pipe means independent of said introduction means for separately withdrawing oil from the upper portion or" said drum and water from the lower portion thereof.

3. Apparatus for resolving emulsions with granular solids: a substantially closed drum and means for revolving' said drum about its horizontal 12d axis; vanes alxed longitudinally to the interior of said drum; means for introducing emulsion into and for separately withdrawing resolution products from said drum, and a longitudinally arranged stationary baffle extending from an 125 upper portion to a lower portion of said drum.

4. Apparatus for continuously resolving emulsions with granular solids: a substantially closed drum and means for rotating said drum about its horizontal axis; means within said drum and 130 revolving therewith `for lifting said solids from the bottom of said drum and for releasing said solids at a higher level; pipe means for withdrawing the lighter liquid of said emulsion from said drum; pipe means for introducing emulsion into said drum; pipe means cooperating with separating means for withdrawing the heavier liquid of said emulsion from said drum, and a channel affording communication between the upper portion of said separating means and said introducing means for returning to said drum any lighter liquid entrained in and withdrawn with said heavier liquid.

5. In apparatus substantially as and for the purpose set forth in claim 4, a Venturi tube and 145 jet in said introduction means.

WILLIAM F. VAN LOENEN. 

